Group Planning - Classification

Classification 

The British Board of Film censors was set up in 1912 by the film industry as an independent body to bring a degree of uniformity to the classification of film nationally. Its a non- governmental body which has classified cinema films since 1919 and videos and DVD's since the video recordings act was passed in the 1984. The classification system was to bring a a degree of uniformity to the classification of film nationally. The BBFC has the power to reject films as much as it does to accept them, so if the film isn't appropriate it won't be accepted and therefore wont be shown. There are many different categories for the films to be put into depending on their content, this decides who will be allowed to watch it at the cinema or not.

All the ratings have a different definition of what they contain so people know why they are that rating. The ratings are:

• 18 - Suitable only for adults 18 years and over 
• 15 - Suitable for 15 years and over, for example could say - Contains strong sex references and strong language
• 12 - Suitable for 12 and over, for example could say - Contains moderate sex references and strong language or moderate violence 
• 12 A - Suitable for 12 years and older but with adult supervision for 12 years old
• PG - Parental guidance, for example could say, contains mild language and sex references 
• U - Suitable for all
• E - The videogram is exempt from the BBFC classification 

My group has decided that we rate our film at a 15, this is because our film is likely to have some strong language, use of drugs due to his injury, references to sex, some violence and some gory scenes and so that no one under the age of 15 can watch the film as they are not the target audience. I think our film should be a 15 because of the things it contains and the fact that it is based on a serious subject which could cause younger viewers some distress. Due to the film being based on a racers crash there will be some graphic scene and strong language so if the film is a 15 this doesn't matter as this is what 15's are all about. Our film is aimed at a mature target audience as the story is so serious, the film is based on following a racer that crashed during the world champion race (which was his dream) and is looking back at the difference between him when he was a racer and now when he can no longer be a racer.